Sensemaker

Could Donald Trump order a strike on Iran's underground nuclear site using a bunker-buster bomb – and what might the consequences be?Writer: Stephen Armstrong Producers: Jonathan Lewis and Poppy Bullard Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK eats hundreds of thousands of tonnes of tuna every year but not all of it is legally or sustainably caught. Writer: James TapperProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Andrew ButlerEpisode photography: Alex JonesExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Artificial intelligence is changing our lives and our world at an astonishing pace, but its hunger for data is matched by its need for energy and water. Writer: Jon Ungoed-thomasProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does the escalating conflict in the middle east mean for Iran, its regime and hopes for a new nuclear deal with the US?Writer: Poppy Bullard with additional reporting from Chloe HadjimatheouProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Casey MagioreEpisode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With findings of a government review on the role of physician associates expected any day now, what is the role, and why are some doctors so concerned about safety?Writer: Rachael HealyProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Claudia WilliamsEpisode photography: Alex JonesExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves this week set out the government's spending plans for the next three years, committing billions of pounds to some departments, while significantly cutting others. She told MPs they were her “choices” - but are they the right ones?Writer: Cat Neilan, The Observer's Whitehall Editor Producer: Poppy Bullard Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After small-scale protests over immigration raids erupt in Los Angeles, President Trump deployed the National Guard and later, the Marines. Writer: Stephen Armstrong Producer: Casey Magloire Host: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elon Musk may have left the Trump administration and fallen out with the president. But amidst all the noise over the breakup of their bromance, Musk's plan to claw back billions in foreign aid is quietly making its way through Congress. Writer: Serena CesareoProducer: Serena CasareoHost: Claudia WilliamsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government is planning on building a new generation of incinerators to generate electricity - including one on England's renowned Jurassic coast. Writer: Jon Ungoed-thomasProducer: Karla PatellaHost: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

England's women's football team heads into the Euros without three key stars. Writer: Jessy Parker HumphreysProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A group of climbers has sparked debate over cheating in mountaineering after scaling Everest and returning to London in just 5 days - with the help of xenon gas.Writer: Jess SwinburneProducer: Serena CesareoHost: Casey MagloirePhotography: Alex JonesExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Attenborough's new documentary Ocean has put bottom trawling in the crosshairs of environmental activists. Clips in this episode are from David Attenborough's new documentary film, Ocean. Writer: James TapperProducer: Jonathan LewisHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After years of peacetime under-investment in defence, the UK government is vowing to shake things up. It says civilians can no longer ignore the rising risks.Writer: Cat NeilanProducer: Jonathan LewisHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As rates of vaping continue to rise across the UK, a health and environmental crisis is unfolding. Will the banning of single-use vapes in the UK turn the tides on their environmental cost?Writer: Jess SwinburneProducer: Karla PatellaPhotography: Alex JonesExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump says he wants to build the ‘next generation' missile shield to protect America from foreign attacks. Writer: Stephen Armstrong Producer: Rebecca Moore Host: Claudia WilliamsExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government has hailed ‘a new dawn' for the railways under the first renationalised train service. But will Britain's trains become more reliable and will tickets be cheaper under public ownership? Writer: James TapperProducer: Karla PatellaHost: Claudia WilliamsExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New research from the Royal College of Nursing suggests many overseas nurses are thinking about leaving the UK. Could the government's tough new immigration reforms accelerate that?Writer: Rachael HealyProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Claudia Williams Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why the River Wye is at the centre of one of the biggest environmental claims ever filed in the high court.Writer: Jon Ungoed -ThomasProducer: Karla PatellaHost: Casey MagloirePhotography: Alex Jones Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two deaths a fortnight ago haven't dimmed the high-octane appeal of motorsport. So when tragedy hits a high-risk sport like this, what keeps riders coming back?Writer: Rory SmithProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government has commissioned radical new reforms to reduce the prison population by 10,000 people.Writer: Rachel SylvesterHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In recent years, an increasing number of women - including Nicola Packer - have been investigated and put on trial for illegally ending their pregnancy.Writer: Phoebe Davis If you'd like to read more of Phoebe's interview with Nicola Packer, click here. Producer: Karla PatellaHost: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Joe MeePhotograph: Sonja HorsmanExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The much-hyped EU-UK summit has resulted in a deal that the Government says will improve “jobs, bills and borders”. But has Labour been too cautious?Writer: Cat NeilanProducer: Karla PatellaHost: Casey MagloireExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The trial of Sean Combs has finished hearing testimony from the prosecution's main witness: the singer and Combs' ex-partner Cassie Ventura. Contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline by calling their 24-hour freephone on 0808 2000 247 or visiting https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ Writer: Stephen Armstrong Producer: Karla Patella Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Alex Jones Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why cinema is leaning heavily on the appeal of screening hit television shows.Writer: Vanessa ThorpeProducer: Jonathan LewisHost: Claudia WilliamsEpisode photography: Alex JonesExecutive Producer: Jasper CorbettTo find out more about The Observer:Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free contentHead to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalistsIf you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A recent survey suggests Gen Z is fuelling a resurgence in church attendance, especially among Catholics. Why? Writer: Jess SwinburneProducer: Ada BaruméPhotography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The presidency and personal gain now go hand in hand – and no one has been able to do anything about it.Writer: Patricia ClarkeProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Casey Magloire Photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The last living American hostage has been released from Gaza following direct talks between the US and Hamas. It comes as Israel prepares for a military occupation of the territory, moving the population and taking control of food and aid distribution.Writer: Chloe HadjimatheouProducer: Karla PatellaHost: Claudia WilliamsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When armed gunmen attacked holiday makers in the Himalayas it reignited a decades-old conflict. Writer and producer: Katie GunningPhotography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Musicians are worried about big tech companies using their work to train AI models. But a group of musicians has come out fighting with an attempt to defend their art. How does it work? Writer: James TapperProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump vowed to tighten borders and deport en masse. Now over 100 days in, his administration races to deliver on sweeping immigration promises. Is he succeeding?Writer: Serena CesareoProducer: Serena CasareoHost: Claudia WilliamsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This year's red carpet bonanza celebrated Black tailoring and rejected Trump-era masculinity in a rare moment of defiance.Writer: Stephen Armstrong Producer: Karla Patella Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The results from last week's local elections show that Nigel Farage' party is now the most popular choice for gen X women.Writer: Rachel SylvesterProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Underfunded councils are turning parks into festival grounds to raise cash but this is transforming the meaning of public space in cities.Writer: Stephen Armstrong Producer: Rebecca Moore Host: Claudia Williams Episode photography: Joe Mee Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Weight loss drugs can be transformative for people who have struggled with obesity. But with a spike in hospital admissions experiencing adverse reactions to the drugs, should we be doing more to regulate this growing market? Writer: James TapperProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Tomini Babs Executive producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tristan Tate is far less well-known than his notorious brother, Andrew. New evidence suggests he holds a central role in their alleged criminality. Writer: Phoebe Davis Producer: Katie GunningHost: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Jasper CorbettThe Sensemaker from The Observer - one story every day to make sense of the world.To find out more about The Observer:Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free contentHead to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalistsIf you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The judges had to decide what the words ‘man', ‘woman' and ‘sex' meant in the Equality Act. They decided that they referred to biological sex. It will have an effect on how trans people access services and single-sex spaces.Writer: Jess SwinburneProducer: Katie GunningPhotography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca MooreThe Sensemaker from The Observer - one story every day to make sense of the world.To find out more about The Observer:Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free contentHead to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalistsIf you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since December 2024, a run of scientific papers has illustrated AI's capacity for deception. Deep learning pioneer Yoshua Bengio says the consequences could be existential.Writer: Patricia ClarkeProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Tomini BabsPhotography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

North Korean soldiers are fighting and dying in combat in Ukraine. Ukrainian intelligence estimates about 60% of the shells fired by the Russian army were provided by North Korea. What does it say about Vladimir Putin that he had to turn to Kim Jong Un for help?Writer: Matt Russell with additional reporting by Nina Kuryata and Claudia Williams.Producer: Rebecca MooreHost: Tomini BabsPhotography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Young adults are swapping nightclubs for run clubs. The number of 20-29 year olds registering for the London marathon is up 86 per cent in the past three years.Writer: Andrew ButlerProducer: Serena CesareoHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Alex JonesExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For many Catholics Pope Francis will be remembered as a man determined to overthrow tradition, challenge privilege and speak up for those who were not heard. But he became head of the Catholic church at a time when the institution was plagued by widespread accusations of sexual abuse. For the victims of catholic priests, did he deliver justice? Writer: Stephen Armstrong Producer: Matt Russell Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The world's richest university is mounting the first serious fightback against the Trump administration. Who will blink first? Writer: Stephen Armstrong Producer: Casey Magloire Host: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Alex Jones Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If your ‘for you page' is suddenly full of dieting tips and before and after pictures, you might be on the receiving end of a resurgence of ‘thin-spiration' on social media. But what's behind this comeback? And who is being impacted? Writer: Ada BaruméProducer: Casey MagloirePhotography: Roisin SavageExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.